Dear QBC Family,
Well, we are less than two weeks till spring and in preparation from a reading standpoint, here is our seasonal book recommendation for your encouragement and growth in the Lord. This spring’s selection is titled DOES GRACE GROW BEST IN WINTER?. It is a small paperback consisting of 87 pages, authored by Ligon Duncan with J. Nicholas Reid. It is published by P & R Publishing.
The book is timely for two reasons. First, the days in which we live are full of suffering and pain. People all around us, in our homes, communities, on the job, and in our churches are hurting and need answers to the age-old dilemma of human suffering. This book is a Biblically-rich book providing much help for the hurting and questioning soul. Another reason for the timing of this book is our current pulpit series on the Lord’s Day morning. We are in 1 Peter; the epistle of suffering and DOES GRACE GROW BEST IN WINTER? is a wonderful companion.
Short in length, but long in encouragement and instruction, the book’s four chapters are . . .
- Why me?
- What is God up to?
- How can we profit from suffering?
- What should we think of Jesus’ suffering?
I found this book extremely helpful and worthy a read or two. Here is two samples to whet your appetite . . . “God uses suffering to cause us to prize Christ more than this world” and “God ordains that our suffering will, by the Holy Spirit and by faith, produce in us the right estimate of both the ephemeral treasures of this world and eternal knowledge of Jesus Christ. Suffering gives us a correct estimate of the things of this life; they are passing away. Before we are suffering, we deeply enjoy them. But in our suffering, they are not so enticing anymore. As the pleasures of this world fade in our estimation, the salvation of Jesus Christ is magnified.”
If you want a short book to get a better grip on suffering with the right attitude, DOES GRACE GROW BEST IN WINTER? is a good choice.
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim